I don’t tend to write about travel blogging but, when I do, it usually results in a great discussion. Go figure.
I am aware that this is a travel blog (ergo, I should be writing solely about travel) but I am also aware that a large portion of my audience are budding travel bloggers so forgive me non-travel bloggers for this brief spiel.
Here’s a travelly picture to make up for the non-travelly post
Remember when you were younger and it was a cardinal sin to talk to anyone you didn’t know online because your new cyber BFF was always a sixty year old man sitting in his underpants and stroking his horrifically straggly beard? It was almost as if as soon as the internet came about, people felt like they were given the right to pretend to be someone else. It was easy. It was free. And, well, it was pretty scary.
Now, though, if you don’t make contacts online you’re unlikely to get anywhere in life (or so it seems). People share their lives on Facebook, they get witty on twitter, and they make a fuss on Google plus. It’s acceptable and, more importantly, it’s necessary – particularly for bloggers like us.
I hated twitter when I first signed up. I hated that I didn’t know anyone personally on it. Not to mention I didn’t know how to bloody use it. I’m a shy person ‘in real life’ and this doesn’t change when I’m armed with a mouse and a keyboard. I’m still worried that people will take what I type the wrong way and I’m hesitant to get involved in conversations for fear of people thinking I’m an absolutely ridiculous excuse for a human being.
My face when I signed up to twitter
But the travel blogging world soon sucked me in. It’s addictive, you know? Even if I wasn’t tweeting myself, I was scouring my feed seeing what everyone else was up to. (Read – seeing what people I HAD NEVER MET BEFORE were up to).
Before I went to my first conference I had built up people’s personas into something that probably wasn’t right but that suited me just fine. People can be who you want them to be online. But, once I could put faces to twitter handles or blog titles the bubble seemed to burst. Not in a bad way. I just realised that we are all human, flailing around trying to do this whole blogging malarkey.
It’s easy for the internet to provide a shield for some people; it bolsters their confidence and they feel like they can say whatever they want regardless of whether it hurts another person. It’s the same in the travel blogging community. I’m by no means (absolutely no way) a veteran in the field but I have seen my fair share of spats between members. It can be nasty, but maybe this is because people don’t know each other in person.
Trying to be something you’re not like this painting pretending to be a window?
It’s easy to lash out when you’re hiding in the dark behind drawn curtains, cup of tea in hand. But when you’re actually face-to-face with someone it can be a hell of a lot harder and may even seem silly. People are just people; no one is better than anyone else and this is so, so, so evident when you meet the people behind the blogs.
So, what do I suggest? I suggest that you all come to Traverse 2013 in April, a new travel blogging conference with a difference where you can put faces to domain names and chat travel and blogging over a drink (or two, or three…)!
There will even be these super-cool Pro-Bar things (I know what you’re thinking – it’s got the word bar in so you’re totally there, right?) where you can meet blogging experts. Daunting? Maybe. But it’s a great opportunity to chat to some well-known people in the industry in a relaxed environment – I know you probably have millions of questions for them that they would love to answer.
There will be ample opportunity to ask questions during the workshops, but I am well aware that the thought can be terrifying (trust me, I’m a serial hand-keeper-downer even if I’m dying to know something) so we have set up a casual meet-and-greet type situation with the workshop leaders; any questions you didn’t (or couldn’t) get round to asking in the session can be asked on a one-to-one basis.
Coming? Good! Let’s burst this travel blogging bubble once and for all!
Are these likely to be a frequent event? I really want to come but i’m really busy that weekend
But if there are any other events soon then I would LOVE to come. Ps great post as always Lizzie 
xx
There may well be more events in the not-too-distant future, will keep you updated
Thanks for the kind words! x
You make some very good observations here. It is very true that the written word on the internet can be interpreted very differently to the spoken word.
Sorry that I won’t be able to join everyone in April; I hope it is a great success.
It’s difficult to decipher someone’s meaning without seeing their facial expression and body language – one of the downfalls of the internet! Thank you
It’s a shame you can’t make it.
Too true! I remember when I used to be hesitant in using my real name online. Now, it’s almost a cardinal sin NOT to have your full name in your user profile. I guess it does help improve internet safety? There are less anonymous profiles out now.
Yes, it’s seems like it’s much more acceptable (and necessary!) to have your full name online, particularly if you are using the internet to expand your career. I used to be hesitant to use my real name too, so I would make up names which I guess is just as bad as creating a whole new persona! If you don’t use your real name it’s so easy to say and do things you wouldn’t normally. I’m a lot more honest now – I think I’ve finally started to trust the internet a little bit more!
Good to hear. I agree with you – it does feel safer now, ironically
Thanks for this great post. It’s reassuring to know that you went through the same motions as I am now when you were starting out. Traverse will be my first conference and I really can’t wait. My wee baby blog will only be a couple of months old at that point so will be so valuable for me having experts around to share their wisdom! Exciting times ahead.
I want a piece of this awesome blog-pie
I think everyone goes through this stage at somepoint.. it’s part of the package! But it’s great when you have experts or people who have been there already to pat you on the back and tell you everything’s going to be ok
Will be great to meet you at Traverse, not long now!
Good points. The internet certainly has changed things!
It definitely has.. and so quickly, too!
I’ve been on Twitter for nearly two years and my face still looks like that! Looking forward to hopefully meeting you at Traverse! xx
Haha I think that’s my natural face… I accidentally relaxed! Looking forward to meeting you, too
x
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Twitter is very addictive, isn’t it! Glad you got through the totally terrified phase and made it through to the not-so-terrified!
Thank you! I’m well and truly addicted now – although not so much as I used to be
Great blog! Love your Twitter face
Thanks!
There also seem to be practical reasons for not totally being yourself in public, I’m pretty sure travelling on a media trip in a similar manner to how I travel with friends would ensure that future trips would stop right there!
I’m also not sure about the term ‘experts’ either, there are many different opinions, success stories and people that have a great deal of knowledge to share.These subject matter experts have plenty to offer in their niche but there are so many different ways in which an individual can have a successful blog and/or social media profile that it is difficult for anybody to have expertise in all spheres.
As with many things it is about observing and listening to others, taking aboard the aspects which seem successful and which you like but discarding the rest.
Thanks for sharing your non travelly thoughts
Ha exactly! Behaviour certainly depends on the company you are with!
I completely agree about your view on ‘experts’ – there is so much room and scope out there for bloggers right now and there’s always something new to learn.
Observing and listening to others is definitely the way forward, but I think it’s also about forging your own path – trying out new things and seeing what works for you. Learning from your own mistakes basically
Something that didn’t work for someone else might well be your ticket to success, and vice versa!